Unfit to Serve Celebrate Lit Book Tour Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Unfit to Serve is a Christian historical fiction by author Sandra Bretting. This is the first book that I have read by her, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was extremely well written and grabbed my attention early. I was captivated until the very end.

Set during World War I in 1918, this is the story of Josephine (Jo) Pembrooke. She is a school teacher living at Camp Travis in Texas while her husband has been deployed somewhere overseas. This story involves a test, “intelligence quotient test,” that the United States has just begun using for soldiers. She found it to be extremely difficult and rallies to help the soldiers pass it.

The strong believable characters, vivid descriptions, and inspirational Christian message make this book a riveting novel. I did not want to put it down. It is filled with action and emotion. The author did her research well and provided information that I did not know. It is great to learn something while reading for entertainment.

I highly recommend this phenomenal book. It would make a wonderful book club selection or gift for a fan of WWI books. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Unfit to Serve

Author: Sandra Bretting

Genre: Inspirational Historical

Release date: August 16, 2024

When the United States military adopts a newfangled test from France called the “intelligence quotient test” during the first world war, no one expects the turmoil that follows. Thousands of immigrants fail it and are forced to return to homelands devastated by war, disease, and famine.

For Josephine Pembrooke, the shy schoolmarm at Camp Travis in Texas, the problem quickly becomes apparent. How can soldiers pass a test they can’t even read? So, Jo labors in secret to create a better test. Knowing all along it can’t save the one soldier she’d hoped to help.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sandra Bretting is the author of a bestselling cozy mystery series that ran for five years with Kensington Publishing, as well as three standalone mysteries and an inspirational memoir. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she began her career writing for the Los Angeles Times, Orange Coast Magazine, and others.  From 2006 until 2016, she wrote feature stories for the award-winning business section of the Houston Chronicle.

The second book in her mystery series earned the rank of Amazon Bestseller. Since making the switch to historical fiction, Bretting has garnered accolades for her first title, Unfit to Serve, which released in August 2024. The novel explores how the U.S. military brought the IQ test to America at the start of World War 1.

More from Sandra

Most people don’t know this, but the IQ test we’ve all heard about came to America during World War 1. French schoolteachers originally created it for their students more than a hundred years ago. Then the U.S. military found out about it, and the top brass thought they could use it to test recruits for their battle-readiness. There was only one problem: thousands of men failed it because they’d immigrated from overseas and couldn’t read the questions. They were loyal to the U.S., smart as whips, and physically capable, but they couldn’t pass a test they couldn’t read. In real life, it took the military a whole year to see the problem and come up with a better version for foreign recruits.

A whole year!

I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to those men who failed it, and how it affected their families. The recruits had come from countries devasted by famine, disease, and war, and they couldn’t go back. From there, the story evolved. I brought in a brave schoolteacher who sees the problem and struggles to fix it. Of course, being the early 1900s, women are supposed to be seen and not heard (like children) so she’s stonewalled at every turn. But she doesn’t stop. Josephine (Jo) knows that God cares about justice too, and she looks to Him for help when everything falls apart.

On a different level, I loved exploring the relationship between Jo and her stiff-lipped husband, Albigence. I purposefully moved this urban couple from a sophisticated university setting to a hot, dusty military base in San Antonio. There, they’re forced to rely on each other for the first time and fight for their marriage. It’s an unconventional love story, but a love story nonetheless.

In all my books, I strive to show how people can change for the better—or worse—depending on the situation, and that the best path forward is to trust God and His timing. He’s always perfect, even when we’re not.  Thank goodness we can rely on Him!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 11

Stories By Gina, November 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 12

Texas Book-aholic, November 13

lakesidelivingsite, November 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 19

For Him and My Family, November 20

Betti Mace, November 21

An Author’s Take, November 22

Artistic Nobody, November 23 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 23

Guild Master, November 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5494

A Wanderer Scorned Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Wanderer Scorned is Book 1 in author Natasha Woodcraft’s series The Wanderer. This is a Biblical Fiction about Adam and Eve’s family. The relationship they each might have had with other family members is explored. It gives the author’s perspective on what might have been.

Adam and Eve’s son, Cain, is featured in this thoughtful novel. I was impressed by the author’s ideas. They were biblically sound. Her writing style is inviting and thought provoking. This book opens up an entirely new look on family dynamics. 

For me, The Wanderer Scorned was a poignant read because I knew what eventually would happen. The author has included many relatable life and spiritual lessons in her book. I was invested in it and its familiar characters within the first few pages. While no one can know the actual truth of what happened, this take on it is reasonable.

If you have never read Biblical Fiction, I urge you to give it a try. Be certain to find reputable authors that use scripture as their guide. I highly recommend this thought provoking novel. Book 2 will be following it, and I eagerly await it. The Wanderer Scorned receives a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Wanderer Scorned

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: March, 2024

“It all started with the banishment. As soon as the truth was known about their disobedience, my parents were driven from the Garden planted for them by the LORD God, Yahweh Elohim. A garden pleasing to the eye and filled with every kind of food. Yet for them, it had not been enough.”

Kayin lives in the shadow of his parent’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and its lingering cloud of shame. He believes in the Creator but struggles for affirmation. When suffering comes and sibling rivalry threatens, Kayin wrestles with God, grasping at shards of faith. But his cries drown in the noise of his own doubts and fears, until his youthful faith lies shattered, replaced by a twisted dance of pride and jealousy.

As Kayin spirals further, misunderstandings within the family dynamic dominate, and whispers of temptation slither through the cracks. Then a chance at redemption presents itself. With flames of forbidden love still raging hot, Kayin and his brother bring sacrifices to Yahweh.

No one foresees the resulting tragedy.

The Wanderer Scorned is the first instalment in The Wanderer Biblical fiction series, immersing readers in the world of Genesis 4. This exploration of the first murder brings the Bible to life in a fresh way, delving into the character of the Creator God and His earliest interactions with humankind.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Natasha Woodcraft lives in a slightly crumbling farmhouse in the UK with her family of boys and menagerie of animals. She holds an honours degree in Theology and believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Also a songwriter, Natasha peppers her emotional prose with poetry and song.

More from Natasha

Q & A with Natasha Woodcraft

  • You’re an Author from the UK. Tell me more about that.

That’s right. I’m a Brit, which is great but has its challenges, like negotiating single quotation marks! There’s a massive lack of Christian fiction here. It’s not stocked in secular bookstores, there are few Christian bookstores left, and there aren’t many big conventions or publishers. I’m part of a team passionate about changing the landscape. We offer support services to authors and publishing services. Please pray for us and our country, and support British writers if you can.

  • Who do you share your home with?

My husband, Ben, and four sons ranging from 15 to 7. Plus a dog, 2 cats, 3 goats, 9 chickens and 16 quail (though they don’t all live in the house.) It can get a little crazy…

  • Sounds like it. How do you find time to write?

Good question. My mornings are usually taken up with feeding/cleaning kids and animals. My afternoons with working for the family business or publishing house. Before tea, I’ll be out picking vegetables and pulling weeds – we try to grow as much as we can ourselves. Writing gets squeezed into late nights, early mornings and quieter days. It’s my downtime and my favorite time spent with Jesus.

  • You write Bible-based fiction. What specifically?

The Wanderer Series is based on the story of Cain & Abel in Genesis 4. It came about because I woke up one morning wondering what prompted the first murder (no kidding; my brain is weird.) I’d been pondering Jesus’ words about murder and anger in the Sermon on the Mount and praying about what I should write for a while. Suddenly, I knew it had to be a reimagining of Cain’s story – from his perspective.

  • Hang on. From Cain’s perspective?

Yeah. Though there’s certainly a place for them, I personally dislike stories that are too simplistic. Where bad guys are really bad and good guys are really good – that kind of thing. The Bible teaches us that we all need grace (especially me), and as regards Cain – I don’t think he was much different to any of us. Writing from his perspective gave me opportunity to spend a lot of time in the Word of God, exploring Cain’s slide into sin in a way that challenged me to examine my own heart.

  • That’s some heavy stuff. Did you have any background that helped you tackle this story?

Sure. I have a degree in Theology, and I’ve also studied English Literature and Creative writing. Mostly though, it was a case of leaning heavily into what God wanted to teach me through this book and hoping some of that resonated with my readers. The reviews so far say it has!

  • What would you say to those questioning whether Bible-based fiction is right for them?

I totally understand the fear surrounding this genre. I felt it myself when I started writing and that was something I had to take to God and trust Him with. “Is it even ok to write these stories?” I asked.

Essentially though, it isn’t much different to a sermon. It’s exegesis and expansion of the scripture, just presented differently: in fiction rather than non-fiction. I’ve researched, covered my writing in prayer, and had pastors check my work. I’m super careful about handling scripture faithfully but state where the story comes from my imagination. It isn’t intended to replace the Bible. Quite the opposite – I hope it will inspire people to pick the Bible up. I even include an appendix that explains decisions I made, and study questions, at the back.

My hope and prayer is that Jesus will be glorified as lives are touched by this ancient story reimagined. If you’re still not sure, why not give The Wanderer Scorned a go? You don’t know until you try…

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, November 13 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, November 13

Back Porch Reads, November 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 16 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18

Fiction Book Lover, November 19 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 21

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 23 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Natasha is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5496

A Healing Touch by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

A Healing Touch by the amazing storyteller Suzanne Woods Fisher is another captivating Amish Christian tale. The author takes readers back to Stoney Ridge where Amish and English both live together. I was excited to return there and catch up with the characters.

This book has so many things going on with different situations. It mainly focus on Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus. She grew up Amish and left the community in order to become a doctor. Then she returned to take care of them.

This thought provoking novel tackles abandoned babies, illness, cancer, family matters, grief, widowhood, hope, and faith. It grabbed my attention quickly. I was so invested in the stories of the Amish and English beloved characters that I had trouble putting the book down. There are twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. The writing is superb and will transport you to the Stoney Ridge community. Be sure to read the Cast of Characters at the beginning. It will make you smile as you become acquainted or reacquainted with everyone.

I highly recommend this poignant novel. It has lingered in my mind for days, which is the sign of a great book. I love the life and Christian lessons it provides. It receives a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided but these are my honest words.

The Prayer Jar Devotional – Healing by Wanda Brunstetter

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Prayer Jar Devotional – Healing, by best selling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, is the third in her Prayer Jar Devotional Series. It concludes this inspirational set of books. Each one has a beautiful pastel cover that invites readers to read about its topic.

The Healing Devotional is composed of short, one page devotionals that provide encouragement. Each page begins with a scripture, then the short story, and closes with an inspirational sentence from the Prayer Jar book. These one page lessons are quick and easy to do, and still provide food for thought.

The book is divided into different types of healing sections. For example, there is a section for Healing Hearts: Emotional Scars. I also found sections for Healing From Unexpected Trauma; Exhaustion: Slowing Down to Heal; and Spiritual Healing (and more). At the beginning of the book are instructions on how to start your own Prayer Jar.

I highly recommend this delightful book. It would make a nice gift for someone going through a difficult time or in the hospital. Its small size makes it a perfect stocking stuffer for Christmas. I really enjoyed reading it and rated it a 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

An Arrangement with the Heiress CelebrateLit Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

An Arrangement with the Heiress by author Lisa M. Prysock is a Christian Historical Romance. It is Book One in the Kentucky’s Debutantes of the Gilded Age Series. I fell in love with the lovely cover and was eager to read the story.

Kentucky’s horse country is absolutely beautiful. The author did a wonderful job taking readers back in time and to Kentucky bluegrass. The conversations sounded authentic and added depth to the delightful marriage of convenience story.

This is the tale of Veronica Lyndon, a debutante with horse racing royalty in her veins. She loves being at home on the farm and wants to help her family. A marriage of convenience has never entered her thoughts. Edward Beckett is a New Yorker who is not excited about marrying her either. This marriage is the mastermind of the couple’s fathers.

I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. She sprinkled faith throughout the book. This is important if you are writing a Christian fiction. The pace was nice and even, giving readers a chance to absorb everything. I found it easy to be invested in the lives of the characters and difficult to put the book down. There is so much to love. The humor made me giggle out loud! The twists kept me on my toes. The spiritual lessons warmed my soul. I even gleaned some knowledge about horses.

This book gets a high recommendation from me. It was delightful. A reading group would have a fun meeting discussing this story and messages. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: An Arrangement with the Heiress

Author: Lisa M. Prysock

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 24, 2024

She’s a wealthy debutante with the finest ancestry in Kentucky horseracing circles…

He’s a member of New York’s Gilded Age elite, yet on the brink of financial ruin…

Neither of them want an arranged marriage…or do they?

Veronica Lyndon has a plan for her life, and it doesn’t include being married off to a perfect stranger. After all, she is descended from generations of Kentucky horseracing royalty. She has no need for a marriage arranged solely to secure her place among the elite of Manhattan’s Gilded Age society. But that’s exactly what her parents expect of her. Determined to defy the arrangement, Veronica formulates a plan to drive her intended away. But when Edward arrives in anticipation of the match, she doesn’t expect to find him so attractive, nor can she deny the feelings he stirs in her heart, complicating her plans. Has true love galloped into her life by conventional means, or are her estimations mistaken?

Edward Beckett realizes the futility of avoiding the arranged marriage to Miss Lyndon. His family is already on the brink of financial ruin and Veronica’s dowry may be their best opportunity to recover. But he didn’t expect to fall for the Kentucky debutante so easily. He finds himself attracted to her natural beauty and vivacious spirit, free from the conventions of other ladies in his customary circles. In fact, he’s downright smitten after meeting Veronica. Unfortunately, Edward’s sisters don’t feel the same, and if their attempts to sabotage the relationship are successful, his whirlwind courtship to Veronica may be over before it’s really begun.

Saddle up for a clean romp filled with sweet romance, inspiration, and plenty of adventure along this course of obstacles and a glide through the splendor and opulence of the Gilded Age.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lisa M. Prysock is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes both Christian Historical Romance and Contemporary Christian Romance books—”Romance with a Dash of Food, Fashion, Faith, & Fun.” She writes both traditionally and indie published novels.

Kentucky inspires her writing and is home. Happily married to her husband of more than 24 years, she homeschooled two of their five children, now grown. When she isn’t writing, she likes to cross stitch, crochet, sew, scrapbook, read, swim, dance, take walks, travel, explore historical homes, garden, cook for her family, learn to play the piano and violin, and read great books.

More from Lisa

Q & A with Lisa M. Prysock…Writing Gilded Age Kentucky Romance!

  1. What inspired you to write An Arrangement with the Heiress?
  2. Residing here in beautiful Kentucky near many of the world’s finest horse farms, rolling hills, and rich culture, for years, I have longed to grasp hold of the inspiration around me to pen a historical story that had been mulling around in my mind.

Hence, I reached out to a dear author friend, Chautona Havig, to brainstorm and build upon what was in my head and heart thus far. She ran a hypothetical scenario by me with some conflict arising because of hypocrisy about the horseracing world…something that could stem from some possible characters. This fit perfectly with some of my research about the Gilded Age era in the horseracing world. My immediate reaction: Ooo, yes girl, yes! Imagine squealing and much chatter at this point. We writers can get a bit on the gabby side if left to ourselves. And because, well, my hero had two sisters; ideal candidates to become antagonists. Chautona and I were chuckling and laughing…and I was off and running like a horse out of the gate.

  1. Were there any challenges you faced about including some history from horseracing in your writing process?
  2. Yes! For starters, how to do it all justice? How to get the feel of it onto paper without writing it wrong? There was so much that had been written about the Kentucky Derby, Keeneland, and horseracing history in general. My deep dive into the Kentucky Derby alone could have held me captive for many months in research.

Knee deep in taking notes, I landed on a thesis paper from the 1940s that was steeped with everything that had put the Kentucky Derby and horseracing in Kentucky on the map. By the time I finished wading through the thesis and all of my other research, I had gobs of notes and a goldmine of historical tidbits to bring my story to life with some degree of accuracy. My story also takes readers to Manhattan and South Carolina. Imagine me turning my laptop sideways to study ancient theater seating charts (okay, well maybe not ancient, but some theaters from the 1900s no longer exist…) and maps for street names from Gilded Age Lexington and Manhattan, and beaches on the Carolinian coastline. All my story needed now was my imagination and a tour of a local horse farm.

  1. Tell us about your tour of a local horse farm. 
  2. Feeling a little shaky about my knowledge of horses, on an ultra-super-hot day in July of 2023, my husband—who behaved like a trooper in agreeing to escort me toward the end of getting my horse facts straight—and I, set out to drive to Lexington from our rural suburban home on the edge of Louisville.

We’d decided to make a day of it. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed touring Gainsborough Farm. It was sweltering hot, but by the time the tour ended, despite melting from the heat before, during, and after, I felt as though I understood more about horse farming better than before the tour.

I had some knowledge of horses from growing up on a farm in Minnesota where my dad boarded horses for locals from time to time, but that had been a long time ago. I needed to brush up on the facts and try to imagine it as if I were living in the early 1900s. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many time machines around to satisfy my desire for temporary transportation to and from a working horseracing farm in 1908. My research, memories, books I’ve read, movies I’ve watched, and my own imagination would have to fill in the rest. It’s all part of being a fictional historical writer, right?

Hubby and me at Gainsborough Farm in 2023…it was so hot that day. My makeup was melting!

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 15

Stories By Gina, October 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 18

Texas Book-aholic, October 19

Devoted To Hope, October 19

Simple Harvest Reads, October 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 21

For Him and My Family, October 22

lakesidelivingsite, October 23

Holly’s Book Corner, October 24

Pause for Tales, October 25

Karen Baney Reviews, October 26

Hannahbandanarama, October 26

Cover Lover Book Review, October 27

Labor Not in Vain, October 28

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5468

A Token of Love Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Wordsmith Carrie Turansky has written a poignant split time Christian novel, A Token of Love, that is set in London, England. The two time periods are between the years of 1885 and 2023. This extraordinary book immediately grabbed my attention and refused to let go. I love that it is based on a true story and taught me some history.

The Foundling Hospital in 1885 is similar to an orphanage. It is a place where family members may take children with the goal of getting them back one day. This is done by matching tokens. However, it is not always that easy as Lillian learns when she ventures there to collect her niece, Alice. Hitting a dead end, she asks investigative journalist Matthew McGivern to help her locate Alice.

Janelle Spencer is helping to run the current day Foundling Museum and direct the Foundling Museum Gala. The Museum has enlisted the help of videographer Jonas Conrad to create a documentary of the Museum’s history. Jonas finds some unethical activities in the Museum’s history, and he and Janelle search for answers and the truth. 

This is an eye opening, emotional story of justice, morality, hope, trusting God, and the relentless search for truth. There are twists and turns that will keep readers riveted to the book as they turn page after page. I found myself pondering the events of this excellent tale long after finishing it.

I highly recommend this split time novel. It is brilliantly written. This would be perfect for a reading group. There is so much to discuss. I give it a five star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: A Token of Love

Author: Carrie Turansky

Genre: Fiction, Historical Romance

Release date: September 3, 2024

Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal.

More from Carrie

Come with me to London!

My latest novel, A Token of Love, is a dual-time story set in London during the late Victorian Era and present day. That prompted my husband and I to take a trip to London earlier this year. We were especially delighted to visit the Foundling Museum which tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, the first children’s charity home in England. The Foundling Hospital and Foundling Museum tie the historical and contemporary plots together in A Token of Love.

Thousands of children were taken in by the Foundling Hospital when their mothers could no longer care for them. Some of the mothers left small items such as coins, thimbles, and pieces of jewelry with their infants as identifiers in the hope that if their situation changed, they might be able to return and reclaim their child. Those items were called tokens, and we saw several of them on display at the Foundling Museum.

Each token is unique and represents a mother’s love and desire to be reunited with her child. It was very moving to view them on display and think of all the heartache and hope behind each token.

More than two years ago, I saw an image of the tokens on Pinterest. That sparked my curiosity, and I followed the research trail to learn more about them. That led to the Foundling Museum’s website, which offers a treasure trove of information and personal stories about the mothers and children connected by those tokens. What I discovered helped me develop the characters and plot for A Token of Love. The story highlights one mother who gave her daughter into their care, then eight years later tries to reclaim her. But her daughter is missing, and that sets off a series of events that stirs all of London. Family drama, romance, inspiration, and a touch of mystery will make the story meaningful for readers.

If you like stories based on true events in history that will touch your heart and lift your spirit, then I think you will enjoy reading A Token of Love!

If you’d like to see more photos from my research trip to London and the Foundling Museum, I hope you’ll visit my website photo page!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 7

Maureen’s Musings, October 7

Books You Can Feel Good About, October 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 9

Connie’s History Classroom, October 9

Texas Book-aholic, October 10

Devoted To Hope, October 10

Simple Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Live.Love.Read., October 11

Stories By Gina, October 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 13

lakesidelivingsite, October 13

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 14

Cover Lover Book Review, October 14

Lighthouse Academy Blog, October 15 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 16

Blossoms and Blessings, October 17

Holly’s Book Corner, October 17

Inspired by Fiction, October 18

Pause for Tales, October 18

Labor Not in Vain, October 19

To Everything There is A Season, October 20

Romances of the Cross, October 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away the grand prize of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of A Token of Love!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5461/

The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride CelebrateLit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride is a Christian historical novel. Written by author Elva Cobb Martin, this is a marriage of convenience Southern tale. It starts off with excitement and continues to be interesting until the last page.

Set outside Charleston, this is the tale of Helena Allton. She is a seventeen year old fiery young woman wanting to escape the marriage plans her father has made. It is also the story of Gideon Falconer. He is a gamekeeper at a nearby plantation and has a strong faith. Both of these characters have many layers that are revealed throughout the book. All of the characters are thoughtfully crafted. The supporting ones are lovable or dastardly. They all add to the story. 

There are so many twists and turns in this book as well as romance, history, adventure, and Christian inspiration. It was easy to become invested in this novel. The pace was a bit uneven with some parts dragging and others racing. The unique use of baptize was refreshing at first, but by the third time it became redundant. I did love that the Christian message was not diluted but very present.

I definitely recommend this book. It receives a 4 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride

Author: Elva Cobb Martin

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 10, 2024

She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation.

Helena Allston had it all—wealth, beauty, and a life of luxury on her family’s plantation. But when her father arranges a marriage to a man she despises, Helena takes matters into her own hands, fleeing on horseback, only to find herself half-drowned and memory-less in a simple cottage. And when her memory returns, Helena ends up back where she began—arranged to marry, this time to the handsome gamekeeper who rescued her.

Could there be more than obligation to this marriage? Or is he only after the Windemere Plantation her father promised him?

Gideon Falconer is at a loss when it comes to the stubborn, beautiful woman he rescued from the Ashley River. His predicament only worsens when he returns her to her family’s plantation, where her father shocks him with a demand that Gideon marry his daughter to prevent a scandal. As a man new to his faith, he feels compelled to do the right thing, but his own secrets and the past left behind in England threaten to complicate matters further.

In a marriage that began as a mere obligation, can Helena and Gideon find the strength to let love and trust conquer all, despite a determined enemy’s schemes to wreck their hope?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement.

More from Elva

In The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, I planned to develop a rich, spoiled heroine who had everything she wanted—beauty, wealth, reputation, an important Charleston family name, and even membership in a popular church of her day but who had no real relationship with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that like so many in America today with our many blessings and freedom but no real love for Christ, his written Word, or his love for the unborn and his biblical plan for marriage and gender? Yet our name may be on some church roll and we call ourselves Christian. I believe our Mighty God is calling America back to him in faith and obedience to the Bible. I believe He is calling forth godly leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, but we must go to the polls and help raise them up. America has a mighty history and a covenant cut with God by our founders. Focusing our hearts and minds on Christ gives us courage and confidence, and we can look to the future with hope in our hearts.

Here’s part of a scene showing the “before Christ” Helena with her pride and arrogance after Gideon rescued her from drowning in the river:

Gideon ducked his head at her icy voice. “Look, young woman, I dragged you from the Ashley River and walked miles carrying you in my arms, to this cottage. You were soaked through and through and unconscious.”

She interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any more of your wild story. Go from my presence and shut the door while I dress.” She pointed to the cabin door, then reached up and touched the lump on her forehead and groaned. “Why did you strike me, sir?” These words came from between gritted teeth.

Gideon’s nostrils flared. “Miss or ma’am, whichever you are, I did not strike you. You must have hit your head on your horse’s neck or a rock when you two jumped into the Ashley. For your information, all I did was save your life, if you’d like to thank me for that.”

Here’s part of Helena’s epiphany:

Captive on the pirate ship, Helena dropped to her knees beside the bed and cried out to God. Her life paraded before her, and tears blinded her eyes. The privileged life she’d led as a wealthy planter’s daughter now seemed frivolous and meaningless. She had never lacked for a thing and had not even imagined there could be such people as the pirate captain who now had her under his control, threatening to sail to the Barbary Coast and sell her to a sultan. Would Gideon and her father ever be able to rescue her before the ship sailed away? A chill rose from her heart to her fingertips. Slavery! Would she end up in slavery? Why had she never considered the poor slaves who met all their needs on the plantation? Ever since she was a child, slaves had done everything to make her family’s life easy and pleasant. Was she now to find out what it would be like to be a slave and at the mercy of someone else’s desires and moods?…Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my proud, selfish, unthankful life. If you’re real, come into my heart, deliver me, help me come to know Your plan and purpose for me.

Like Helena, we can cry out to God in humble repentance and return with our whole heart, and He will always answer. We are never out of the reach of God’s eyes or  hand. Here is a simple prayer I invite you to pray for yourself and our nation in this election year:

Father God, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son you sent to save me from my sins. I repent and turn from them to You and Your Word. Please forgive me and come into my heart, be not only my Savior, but my Lord and director of my decisions, especially my vote for righteous leaders. Help me find a Bible-preaching church family and do my part in bringing America back to You. I believe You are working mightily in my life, family and nation, and I give You praise. Amen

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, October 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2

For the Love of Literature, October 3 (Author Interview)

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 3

Texas Book-aholic, October 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6

Beauty in the Binding, October 7 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8

Guild Master, October 9 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, October 12

Fiction Book Lover, October 13 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 14

Pause for Tales, October 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5455/

Share Your Salvation Testimony

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The CWC (Christian Writers Collective, LLC) is open for new members! What is the CWC? It is the brainchild of Stephanie K. Reynolds. Her dream has been to assemble writers’ Christian stories into a volume allowing the authors to behold their name in print in a book that glorifies God and will be used to bring others into God’s family. Her ultimate goal is 100 authors per book!


If you have a salvation testimony to share, we would be honored to include it in our upcoming book. No need to worry if you are not a polished author. We have writers available to assist you if you need help composing your story. Did you ever dream of having your name in a book as a contributing author? Here is your chance.

Best of all, your testimony or experience with Jesus might be the catalyst needed to turn someone’s heart to the Lord. Your family would have a record of your salvation story to read to future generations. That, my friend, is a priceless gift. Sometimes the words are difficult to say, but handing someone a book is by far easier.

Book Four will be published in 2025. It will include testimonies by authors that have never written their salvation story for the Jesus Can series. Also included will be articles from returning authors using the theme Jesus Can Show You the Truth. Do you have a story about an experience with Jesus that will help move someone to accept Jesus into their heart or strengthen their walk? We need you!

Please prayerfully consider joining us in this mission to spread the word of what Jesus has done in the lives of ordinary people. We are hopeful the testimonies in this heartfelt book will bring many people to invite Him into their hearts. Let’s start with our own families.

Books 1 and 2 are already out and available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Watch for Book 3 around Thanksgiving, just in time for Christmas gift giving! All three books have different, unique, true stories. You will want the entire collection! We appreciate your prayers and support for us on this project.

What’s the Story, Morning Glory? Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to the Blog Tour for What’s the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

What's the Story, Morning Glory?

Title: What’s the Story, Morning Glory?
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Julie Lessman LLC
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Genre: Memoir Devotional (half fiction/half nonfiction)

“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!” 

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”  
Ahem. Until now … 

Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianity” is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends. 

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer. 

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as

1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God’s spiritual life lessons have blessed me! 

Hugs,
Julie Lessman 

PURCHASE and REVIEW LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

Also Available

About the Author

Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2014, Best of 2015, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-20, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers’ Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. 

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.

Connect with Julie by visiting julielessman.com to follow her on social media, read both romantic and spiritual excerpts from her books, or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a character named after you in Julie’s next book & a signed paperback copy of that book, plus a signed paperback copy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory!

What's the Story, Morning Glory JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 24, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 1, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print copies. Gift card open to all locales. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

https://gleam.io/scFXy/embed?l=http%3A%2F%2Fmyfavoritepastime.blogspot.com%2F&r=

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

MY REVIEW

I love devotionals and read at least one everyday. For years I have one for mornings and one for evenings. Author Julie Lessman’s What’s the Story, Morning Glory?: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity is one of the most unique that I have ever picked up. It is part fiction mixed in with a devotional and memoir. The result of that combo is an inspirational masterpiece.

Julie Lessman is transparent as she shares stories from her life along with excerpts from some of her beloved novels. Bible verses are abundant throughout the daily readings. These scripture verses address different topics to coincide with the lessons. Each section of the chapter is broken down into different parts, (1) The Real Story (2) The Novel Story (3) The Scripture Story (4) The Takeaway Story (5) The Prayer Story. Devotions are lengthy and provide for in-depth study.

A plethora of topics are covered. All chapters have a true story from Julie Lessman’s life, a novel story of a scene from one of her books dealing with that same topic, and then scriptures to affirm what God’s Word says about that topic. This is a different type of devotional than I have ever done or seen, but I loved it. It would make a great small group or readers club selection. There is a lot to discuss. It would make a thoughtful gift for anyone. I will definitely be revisiting it from time to time. It receives a 5 star rating from this reader.

A complimentary copy of the book was provided from Just Read, but these are my honest words.

Brave, King David’s Wives Book Review

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Brave is the first book in talented author Mesu Andrews’ King David’s Wives series. This book is Biblical Fiction at its finest. I was totally captivated throughout the entire story and gleaned a better understanding of David, Ahinoam, and Abigail as well as the time they lived.

Author Andrews has a brilliant mind and produced a plausible fictional tale for King David and his second wife, Ahinoam. Scripture barely mentions her, leaving much to the imagination. It is obvious that much research and thought went into the writing of this phenomenal novel and the development of characters. King David was such an interesting person. The author has given him depth, emotion, and strength. Her ideas on his family relationships, physical appearance, and Walk with God is very reasonable. In fact, it is very different from most that I have read.

I learned a lot just by reading this enlightening book. It sent me to my Bible to compare what scripture said. The information in Brave was aligned with verses in the Bible. I love it when a fiction book teaches me things, also. This one brought ancient Israel to life as I was on the run from Saul with King David and his men.

The ending came quickly for me. I was ready to continue the story for many more chapters! It was hard to say good-bye to my book friends. The author’s notes at the end hold important information and should not be skipped. There are discussion questions for personal or group study after the notes.

I highly recommend this remarkable novel. It has made an impact on my impression of King David. When I read the Psalms now, they seem to make more sense to me. This would be a beautiful choice for a reading group. There are so many topics to discuss. I was deeply moved and loved this book. It will make a welcome gift for your reader friends.

This gets a 5 star rating from me. Yes, it is that excellent! An advanced reader copy was provided, but these are my honest words.

Favorite Quotes:

“You know us before birth, Lord!”

“The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1”

“The love of a husband and wife, whether it produces a child or not, is unlike any other.”